Some questions on using Town Car Services

[Brumeiser]

How reliable are these services and how hard are they to use? My wife is hesitant on using these services. Some of her questions if you pay round trip do you get a voucher to use on the return trip to the airport? Has anyone used the grocery store run and how did it go? How much do you tip the driver? Will this be cheaper than a rental car? Why I ask this is we are going to be at the Dolphin so we have to pay 6 nights of parking, so would the rental car and parking fee be cheaper than the Town Car Service? Last year trip we had a rental car for 6 days and basically it sat the whole week, One day we used it to go to Outlet shopping and Downtown Disney and the other time was we had to make a emergency diaper run at Crossings. I just don't see spending the money on something we hardly used. I would appreciate any feedback on any of these questions and thanks.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

They are for the most part extremely reliable and very easy to use. I say "for the most part" because these companies are run by humans and the cars are driven by humans, and some mistakes can happen. We've never experienced one.

Round trip to and from MCO is usually about $100, plus tip of 15-20%. You can price cars from the rental companies to see if that's a better deal.


Bob

 

[goofy4tink]

The towncars run about $100 r/t. That's without a tip, which you would want to do each way....so, maybe a total of about $150 tops.
They are very easy to use. When you deplane, you will head for the baggage claim area. At the bottom of the escalator your driver will be waiting for you, holding up a sign with your name on it. He/she will then help you grab your bags, tell you where to wait for him while he goes to get his car and bring it around. You then hop in, he drives to the Swan, you get out, tip him (and pay him if payment hasn't already been made). He will give you a time for your return to the airport...usually about 2 hrs. before your flight. THen he comes back at the prearranged time and off you go back to the airport.

Now, different towncar services handle payment different ways. Some you can pay at the time of booking, others will take only cash, some will take credit cards when you get to MCO. All expect a tip. Since you may have different drivers each way, you should plan to tip on each way. Just split the tip in half.

As far as the grocery runs go, I have only used it once. But those who have used it say it works out just fine.


Unfortunatly, DME isn't an option for those staying at S/D. You could book a Mears shuttle ride for about $30 pp r/t and possibly end up on a DME bus though.

 

[Bob P]

Thanks Diane, I overlooked the part about the Dolphin....I have now edited that part of my post.

Bob

 

[WaltD4Me]

Using a town car service is VERY easy. I wouldn't go any other way!

We always use Murray Hill Transportation. Round trip they charge $85, but there is a $5 off coupon on their website. Then I tip the driver $10 each way.

Our driver meets us at the bottom of the escalator in baggage claim, loads our luggage and off we go! We always use the free grocery stop and are usually in and out of the store in about 20 minutes. Then it's off to the hotel. I'd say from pick-up to the hotel door with the grocery stop is about 45-60 minutes.

On the way back they pick us up 2 hours before our flight and you don't need a voucher. We pay the whole amount at pick up and then just tip the driver on the return trip.

I love leaving the airport immediately (not having to wait for others on a shuttle or DME) I love the grocery stop and I love the later pick up on the way back.

Since I discovered car services, we have used them for all our trips and I've never had a problem.

 

[Brumeiser]

For your prompt responses. Maybe I will try to price each one out but if the Town Car option is cheaper we will have to try it. I know at the Swan/Dolphin you have the boat shuttle to Epcot and MGM plus the bus transportation so there really is no need for a rental. So I will have to add this to my to do list and see what happens.

 

[TLinden16]

I have always had luck with the town car services. I have found them to be very reliable. Most of the time, they are waiting for me when my flight arrives at the airport. The few times they weren't there, it was because my flight was very early, and I only had to wait a few extra minutes. For the most part, all of the drivers I've had have been helpful and courteous.

The grocery stop is a nice perk. They usually will stop at a Publix. I try to make a list of what I want so I can get in and out of the store as quickly as possible.

Karen